Chapter 10 Miscalculated

Chapter 10: A Miscalculation

Fang Ran retreated a few steps amidst the commotion.

The Guardians had been operating in District 5; why were they suddenly in District 4?

He hid behind the crowd, opening his terminal to scroll through the recent announcements from the Federation government.

An urgent message from last night was pinned at the very top:

"Unidentified creature detected in the JK-12 section of the Nisai River, potentially S-class."

No wonder.

The Nisai River was one of the Federation's vital waterways, and monitoring its various sections was always a high priority. Districts 4 and 5 were located downstream from the incident site.

Fang Ran quickly scanned the announcement.

The creature's appearance had affected water supply in several downstream areas. The Federation government demanded swift action from all units, explicitly stating that both the Sentinel and Guide Center and the military had already responded.

This Guardian squad had likely been ambushed en route to the scene and sought help from the nearest sub-center.

Sentinel and Guide protocols stipulated that high-level emergency Purifications could not be refused based on faction differences.

Though from different organizations, the Guardians' actions, while unusual, were entirely within the rules.

Fang Ran, who had initially been focused on earning some extra income, now hesitated.

He had always tried to avoid the plot and live a peaceful life. Encountering situations that might involve the main characters would instinctively make him want to retreat.

But now that he had provoked a villain like Fu Zhangzhou, Fang Ran wondered if continued evasion still held any meaning.

"Fang Ran!"

While he was still wavering, Chen Yao, the sub-center's director, had already spotted him.

"You're back!?"

Chen Yao pushed through the crowd, waving at Fang Ran.

"Go help over there! Quick! An A-plus-class Sentinel is about to go berserk!"

Called out publicly, Fang Ran had no escape.

Following Chen Yao's指direction, he saw several Guides kneeling around a blood-soaked Sentinel.

The Sentinel's pupils had turned blood-red, his gaze unfocused as he struggled wildly like a mindless beast, letting out incoherent roars at those around him.

He was already bound in a specialized restraint suit, his hands secured with electronic cuffs to prevent an energy outburst. While this significantly reduced the danger, Fang Ran could still tell the situation was extremely critical.

*This* was what a Sentinel on the verge of going berserk truly looked like.

In comparison, Fu Zhangzhou's behavior that day could even be described as "elegant."

The Purification had already begun.

An A-class Guide hovered his hands above the Sentinel's forehead, while two B-class Guides held the Sentinel's hands, channeling energy. A therapist also joined, treating his severe injuries.

Fang Ran pondered for a moment.

The Purification energy was already sufficient; he wasn't planning to go all out. Unless absolutely necessary, Fang Ran still wanted to keep his secret.

He slightly loosened the restraint suit on the Sentinel's upper body and pressed down over the heart.

The moment the connection was made, a massive surge of corrupted energy flowed backward into his Spiritual Sea.

Fang Ran suppressed the nausea and tried to examine the Sentinel's Spiritual Sea, but he met with resistance.

The Sentinel's Spiritual Sea was sealed.

In fact, this was the most normal state.

A-class Sentinels and above could shield their Spiritual Sea from external entry—it was their most vulnerable and fatal point.

The slightest misstep could lead not only to the loss of their abilities but even to death.

Only afterward did Fang Ran realize Fu Zhangzhou had done it on purpose.

He had deliberately laid his Spiritual Sea completely bare before him.

If Fang Ran had harbored ill intent, he could have taken Fu Zhangzhou's life that day.

That man truly was a complete lunatic!

Just then, the Sentinel on the ground began to thrash violently.

His expression was twisted in agony, his eyes entirely blood-red. Even constrained by the suit, his struggles grew increasingly intense, as if he wanted to tear apart those around him.

After all, this was a temporary Purification.

With unknown compatibility, the influx of a Guide's mental energy could also trigger a rejection.

The lower the purification efficiency, the greater the energy required.

This caused the two B-class Guides to near their limits—their faces pale, lips trembling, on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

Though the A-class Guide only frowned, cold sweat continuously beaded on his temples.

Fang Ran, a C-class, was surprisingly in the best condition.

Though he also felt somewhat nauseous, he could still persevere.

Seeing his two colleagues about to fall, Fang Ran thought about faking it himself and making a graceful exit.

After all, a C-class exhibiting more energy than an A-class could easily arouse suspicion.

But just then, someone mentioned his name.

"As expected of Guide Fang Ran, not even flinching while Purifying an A-class!"

"Fang Ran seems to have purified many high-level Sentinels beyond his own rank."

"Right! There was even Fu Zhangzhou."

The two of them, conversing back and forth, successfully drew all attention to Fang Ran.

More and more onlookers gathered.

Even the accompanying journalist from the Guardians aimed their camera at him.

"Guardian Team A encountered a group of A-class Chimeras in Zone 4 West, D517 area."

"The team's Digital Sentinel Guide was severely injured and has been temporarily transferred to the Zone 4 sub-center for treatment."

"Now on camera is..."

Fang Ran: "......"

Damn it, no time to keep up the act.

He couldn't pull back, nor could he continue.

His pheromones grew increasingly potent, and Fang Ran felt a pang of panic.

Just then, the hall erupted into commotion once more.

People's attention was drawn in another direction.

Fang Ran, surrounded by the crowd and keeping his head down, could only hear the chaotic footsteps entering the center.

However, he vaguely heard someone mention "Guardian," "Zheng Mingyu," "Captain"…

Fang Ran's heart sank.

Zheng Mingyu?

Isn't that the male lead from the book?

What was he doing here?

Fang Ran had a bad feeling.

Should he take this chance to slip away?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than two heavy "thuds" sounded beside him.

The two B-class Guides suddenly collapsed, and even the A-class one slumped to the side.

Fang Ran was startled, momentarily forgetting to control his mental energy output. A massive surge of energy violently rushed into the Sentinel's body, and he instinctively cried out.

People quickly turned to look at Fang Ran, and seeing his terrified expression, they rushed to reassure him.

"Guide Fang Ran, are you alright?"

"Can you still hold on?"

All the attention once again made Fang Ran the center of focus.

Just then, the Sentinel on the ground suddenly convulsed violently several times, and Fang Ran quickly withdrew his hands, breaking the connection.

The reporter's camera was now trained on both Fang Ran and the Sentinel.

The Sentinel slowly opened his eyes. Though his face was pale, the red glow in his eyes was barely visible.

As if he had lost his memory, he sat up abruptly, looking around in confusion. When he saw Zheng Mingyu approaching, he even jumped to his feet and saluted him.

"Captain, I'll report back to duty as soon as possible!"

The onlookers began to cheer. By now, Fang Ran just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

But as soon as he stood up, a gentle, encouraging voice came from above him.

"I'm Zheng Mingyu. You've worked hard, Guide."

The deep, pleasant voice sent chills down Fang Ran's spine.

Fang Ran kept his head down, feigning discomfort.

He wanted nothing to do with the protagonist.

As he was racking his brain for a plan, he spotted Chen Yao coming his way out of the corner of his eye.

Now or never.

Fang Ran chose his angle and suddenly lunged towards Chen Yao.

Unfortunately, he hadn't accounted for a Sentinel's reaction speed.

Right in front of everyone, Fang Ran fainted into a stranger's arms.